Native American bands associated with the Timucuan mound-building culture settled on the island, which they called Napoyca, circa 1000. They would remain on Napoyca until the early 18th century.

Since then, the island has frequently changed possession and been under eight different flags – the only United States location to have done so!

French Flag

In 1562 French Huguenot explorer Jean Ribault becomes the first (recorded) European visitor to Napoyca and names it Isle de Mar.

In 1565, Spanish forces led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles drive the French from northeastern Florida, slaughtering Ribault and approximately 350 other French colonists.

Spanish Flag

In 1573, Spanish Franciscans establish the Santa Maria mission on the island, which is named Isla de Santa Maria. The mission was abandoned in 1680 after the inhabitants refuse a Spanish order to relocate.

British raids force the relocation of the Santa Catalina de Guale mission on St. Catherine’s Island, Georgia, to the abandoned Santa Maria mission on the Island in 1685.

In 1702, this mission was again abandoned when South Carolina’s colonial governor, James Moore, leads a joint British-Indian invasion of Florida.

English Flag

Georgia’s founder and colonial governor, James Oglethorpe, renames the island “Amelia Island” in honor of princess Amelia (1710-1786), King George II’s daughter, although the island was still a Spanish possession.

After establishing a small settlement on the northwestern edge of the island, Oglethorpe negotiates with Spanish colonial officials for a transfer of the island to British sovereignty. Colonial officials agree to the transfer, but the King of Spain nullifies the agreement.

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 ratifies Britain’s victory in the Seven Years’ War, ceding Florida to Britain in exchange for Havana and nullifying all Spanish land grants in Florida. The Proclamation of 1763 established the St. Mary’s River as East Florida’s northeastern boundary.

Spanish Flag

In 1783, the Second Treaty of Paris ends the Revolutionary War and returns Florida to Spain. British inhabitants of Florida had to leave the province within 18 months unless they swore allegiance to Spain.

In 1811, surveyor George J. F. Clarke plats the town of Fernandina, named in honor of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

Patriot Flag

With the approval of President James Madison and Georgia Governor George Mathews in 1812-1813, insurgents known as the “Patriots of Amelia Island” seize the island. After raising a Patriot flag, they replace it with the United States Flag.

American gunboats under the command of Commodore Hugh Campbell maintain control of the island until Spanish pressure forces their evacuation in 1813.

Green Cross of Florda Flag

Spanish forces erect Fort San Carlos on the island in 1816. Led by Gregor MacGregor in 1817, a Scottish-born soldier of fortune, 55 musketeers seize Fort San Carlos, claiming the island on behalf of the “Green Cross.”

Mexican Rebel Flag

Spanish soldiers force MacGregor’s withdrawal, but their attempt to regain complete control is foiled by American irregulars organized by Ruggles Hubbard and former Pennsylvania congressman Jared Irwin.

Hubbard and Irwin later join forces with the French-born pirate Luis Aury, who lays claim to the island on behalf of the Republic of Mexico. U. S. Navy forces drive Aury from the island, and President James Monroe vows to hold Amelia Island “in trust for Spain.”

Confederate Flag

On January 8, 1861, two days before Florida’s secession, Confederate sympathizers (the Third Regiment of Florida Volunteers) take control of Fort Clinch, already abandoned by Federal workers who had been constructing the fort.

General Robert E. Lee visits Fort Clinch in November 1861 and again in January 1862, during a survey of coastal fortifications.

United States Flag

Union forces, consisting of 28 gunboats commanded by Commodore Samuel Dupont, restore Federal control of the island on March 3, 1862 and raise the American Flag.

Fort Clinch

Named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, historic Fort Clinch is located in Fernandina Beach in northeastern Florida. Built in the mid 19th century, the fort was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American Wars and became a part of the Florida State Park System in 1935. During that time, many of the fort’s buildings were repaired by Roosevelt’s famed Civilian Conservation Corps, which often visited state and national monuments to perform preservation work.

One of the oldest parks in the Florida State Park System, Fort Clinch State Park is 1,100 acres in size and includes a variety of different plant communities, including sand dunes, overwash plains, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal marsh, making it one of the most ecologically diverse parks in the system. This diversity also makes the park an ideal location for bird watching and wildlife viewing.

This state park is also designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. Both paved and unpaved trails are available for hikers and are a great way to explore the park. The 6.5-mile unpaved trail can also be enjoyed by off-road cyclists who are looking for a little bit of a challenge provided by steep hills and overgrown forests. The paved park road is suitable for those on touring bikes. Bicycles may also ride on the hard-packed sand in the beach areas. In addition, the Willow Pond Hiking Trail encircles a series of freshwater ponds with two choices of loops available. Hikers should expect to see a wealth of wildlife along these loops, including deer and alligators.

The beaches at Fort Clinch State Park are ideal for both swimming and shell collecting. The sand is strewn with a variety of shells and the area is especially popular with those hunting for shark’s teeth. No lifeguards are provided at the beaches.

Fishing at Florida’s Fort Clinch State Park can be enjoyed on the half-mile-long fishing pier that separates the ocean from the Cumberland Sound. This handicapped accessible pier is a great place to catch game fish. Visitors can also go surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean or fish along the Amelia River or the Sound.

Fort Clinch State Park is home to two campgrounds. The Amelia River Campground offers 41 sites with 20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings, and picnic tables as well as two bathrooms with hot showers. One bathroom also houses laundry facilities. The Atlantic Beach Campground has 21 sites with similar amenities. A dump station is also available. Fees are reasonable and sites disappear quickly in the busy seasons.

The park also has a well-shaded picnic area with grills and picnic tables and a playground area for small children.

Fort Clinch State Park has an informative visitors’ center and costumed re-enactors are often on hand to entertain and educate guests, offer guided tours of the fort, and participate in special events pertaining to the rich history of the site.

The Amelia Island Museum of History is bursting with fascinating stories that are just waiting to be shared with eager visitors and residents. From the Timucua Native American tribe to Spanish and French explorers, from the lawless spirit of pirates to the dignified air of Victorian-era residents, AmeliaIsland has been home to diverse cultures that have left an exciting heritage.

The AmeliaIslandMuseum sees itself as the caretakers and disseminators of that exciting local history, which it shares not only through a wonderful variety of exhibits, but also by providing a multitude of programs throughout the community for all ages. The Museum also protects and shares local history with genealogists, homeowners and authors by providing a modern research facility. In the coming months, the Museum will highlight many of the varied and wonderful aspects of NassauCounty’s history.

Since it is hard to find allot about this I will just tell you! This was my favorite time! I looked forward to this all year! The food is one of the best reason aside from all the people and arts and craft!You could find almost any sea or brackish water creatures. Cooked any way you want to try it!

If you eve can go it is more than worth it!

Our island watchmen

Pirate Lore (truth)

In Florida, however, the pirate connection isn’t linked to a pop-culture fad. The state is steeped in buccaneer history that stretches from Key West to Tampa Bay, St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, almost at the Georgia line.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Fernandina Beach was literally a safe harbor for pirates. Its port is among the deepest on the southeast coast, once allowing pirate galleons to enter even at low tide.

French pirate Louis-Michel Aury, Captain Kidd, Jean LaFitte and Jose Gaspar have all inspired tales tied to the town. In one of the most popular legends, a buried treasure is guarded by ghosts.

Other ghost tales are based in the elegant Victorian homes built in the “Silk Stocking District” just off Centre Street. Many of the homes, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are still owned by descendants of the original families.

Ghost tales and pirate lore are a big attraction on an hour-long excursion by the Olde Town Carriage Company. For owner and tour guide Rita Jackson, the charm of Fernandina Beach is that it’s still a small town as much as a tourist stop.

“People really live here, really work here and they are still part of the same families that once lived here,” she says. “They are so proud of the history.”

Between 1880-1910 Fernandina’s docks were among the busiest in the south. Basking in her heyday, she welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets of the harbour district – and there were over 20 at the tim – only one bore the distinction of being the “Shipcaptain’s Bar.” and that was the Palace.

In 1999, a fire at the Palace burned every room but the one where Uncle Charlie lived.

Uncle Charlie’s Pub, is located directly behind the Palace Saloon. Uncle Charlie is the ghost that purportedly haunts the Palace.

Between 1880-1910 Fernandina’s docks were among the busiest in the south. Basking in her heyday, she welcomed ships from the far corners of the globe. Of the many saloons that lined the lively streets of the harbour district – and there were over 20 at the time – only one bore the distinction of being the “Ship Captains Bar.” And that was the Palace.

Perhaps the most famous ghost in Fernandina Beach is Palace Saloon bartender Charlie Beresford, who worked there from 1906 to 1960.

“Uncle Charlie,” as he came to be known, would bet patrons they couldn’t throw coins and have them land and stay on the busts of statues behind the bar. At the end of each night, he’d scoop up the change. After he died, another bartender made the same bet with patrons and felt a hand on his shoulder as though he were being told to stop.

I remember the fire! The tavern held history not just in its walls also the pictures they had some so old they should not have held up to time! Articles pages,notes,archives,IOU’s by pirates! It was an amazing place!

There is a whole lot more! If you have stuck with me and/or enjoyed it thank you!